Fire fighting tool



March 1, 1938. J. H. WEGNER 2,109,488

FIRE FIGHTING TOOL Filed June 7, 1935 a 2 60/ 5 67 /5 5 I I HT /0 f 15 aw r /7 3 /7 I 4 b Patented Mar. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I 2 Claims.

' (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States for governmental purposes without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a composite tool designed more particularly as an instrument of various uses in fighting hostile fires.

In fighting forest fires, the object of the fire fighter is to denude an area, in front of the advancing fire, of combustible or inflammable ma.- terial and to do so, over a given length of terrene, the fighter may require a various number of implements such as a rake; a scythe, cutting edge, or blade; a grubbing hoe, axe, trencher, or hoe; and a spade or shovel.

Implements of this character are desirable for clearing a path or area of such inflammable materials as leaves, grass, vines, brush, trees, and the like. It is also expedient and necessary at times to have at hand and employ a hoe or trencher to make furrows, dead lines, or trenches in the earth.

The territories most subject to fires are usually rough, dense and brushy, steep and mountainous. Through such territories it has been found to be almost impossible for a fire fighter to carry all of the implements that are essential and required. Such a number of necessary tools has also been found to be an incumbrance which will hamper and hinder the fighters progress and work which must necessarily be at a rapid pace.

An object of my invention is to provide a single instrument which will accomplish the purposes and functions of such various implements as mentioned above.

Other objects of my invention will be set forth in the following description, it being understood that the above general statement of the objects of my invention is intended to generally explain the same without limiting it in any manner. a

In the illustrated application of the invention,

Figure 1 is a plan view of an implement, except for the handle, having the characteristics of an embodiment of the invention and by which the invention may be practiced.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are illustrative of cross sections AA, BB, and C-C of Figure 1.

Figure 5 illustrates a cross sectional view, similar to Figure 4, with a cross sectional view of a ferrule and handle and a means of attaching the same.

Figure 6 is an illustrative perspective view of my invention.

Several embodiments of my invention are known to me but according to that by means of which I have illustrated my invention herein, I provide an elongated member ID having a centrally disposed longitudinal raised or ridged reinforcing portion I I which is shown extending sub- 5 stantially from the end I2 to the end I3 of the elongated member. This reinforcing ridge II preferably raises gradually, from the more or less flat surface of the elongated member to a place nearer one end of the member III than 1 the other where this reinforcing ridge portion II terminates into an upright collar or shoulder I4 about an eyelet I5 through the member I0 into which a detachable ferrule I6 may be fitted and attached. One edge of said member ID is ser- 5 rated or terminates into a plurality of teeth or tines I! to serve as a rake, or the like, while the oppositeedge I8 of blade I8a terminates into a sharpened edge to serve as a scythe, blade, or the like. The ends I2 and I3 of said elongated memher also terminate into sharpened edges, the a blade I31: serves as a hoe, trencher, grubbing hoe, or the like, while the opposite or longer end I2 of the member may serve as a spade, shovel, or the like.

I have found it beneficial and advantageous, though not necessary, to have the teeth I! of the implement slightly dished, as shown particularly in Figures 1 and 6. The edges of these teeth I! may also be sharpened for cutting purposes.

The instrument as has already been described may be stamped, pressed, swaged, or molded from a single piece of metal, or metal alloy.

The handle shown in Figures 5 and 6 is comprised of a detachable ferrule I6 and is preferably hollow to afford maximum strength and a minimum weight. A metallic ferrule is preferred, for the particular described use of the implement, in order to prevent its catching on fire and burning; to afiord sufiicient strength to withstand the rough usage to which the implement must be put; to facilitate the manufacture of a ferrule and handle having a desired or proper contour, angle, or shape, i. e., one that will substantially balance the implement regardless of which portion thereof is being used; and to afford interchangeability.

The butt end of the ferrule preferably increases in diameter, or flares, to such an extent as will excede the diameter, or size, of the eyelet and its collar. So shaped, the ferrule may be driven tightly into the eyelet from the under side of the member ID and retained securely in an operable position by any means such as a bolt or pin (not 7 shown) through the collar, I4, and handle. Or the ferrule may be secured by driving a wedge or tapered plug 22 into the butt end thereof from the under side of the implement.

The eyelet is preferably oval shaped, and likewise the butt end of the ferrule, to prevent its twisting or turning out of position.

The upper portion of the handle lfia may be of wood or other material to reduce the Weight of the instrument, to deaden the shock and vibrating reaction upon the user, and for other obvious reasons. The wooden portion of the handle may be secured to the metallic ferrule portion l6 by any suitable means such as a bolt or pin.

The ferrule eyelet is preferably, though not necessarily, located nearer one end of the elongated member than the other. Thus located the blade portion |3a is afforded strength, a better balance, and, too, the greater portion of the implement, located between the eyelet i5 and end i2 acts as a driving weight when the blade I311 is employed as a grubbing hoe or trencher.

A further object of my invention is a particular shaped handle or combined handle and ferrule that will balance the implement whether it be used in a pulling position as a rake, I7, or as a scraper, 18; whether it be used in a horizontally swinging scythe-like fashion; whether it be used. in a pushing fashion as a spade when employing the end 12; whether it be used in a pulling fashion as a furrower or trencher when employing the end l3; or whether it be used in a vertical stroking fashion when employing the blade l3a as a grubbing hoe, axe or the like.

To accomplish this balancing effect I provide a handle or combined handle and ferrule so shaped that a portion extends upwardly substantially perpendicular to the flat elongated member where it continues into a portion at an angle from the perpendicular portion in a direction toward the longer portion of the flat member and thence continues into a portion at an angle back upon itself and toward the shorter portion of the flat member substantially as shown.

It is to be understood that I do not limit my invention to the specific embodiments herein described. The structures defined herein are set forth for the purpose of illustrating practical embodiments of my invention and by which the invention may be practiced. It is to be further understood that no limitations are to be imposed upon my invention except such as are indicated in the appended claims.

From the foregoing it will be understood that I have provided a single sturdy implement that will withstand heavy and rough usage; that will accomplish the purposes and functions of a number of various single implements; and an implement that may be easily and conveniently carried and handled. Its utility, adaptability, and availability for various required purposes being one of its most outstanding features of novelty.

I claim as my invention:

1. A tool comprising a substantially flat elongated member having a centrally disposed longitudinal raised reinforcing portion extending into an upright collar about an eyelet longitudinallydecentered with respect to said elongated member, said elongated member having a serrated tooth-like edge, a blade-like edge, a hoe-like end, and a handle ferrule detachably engaging said elongated member within the eyelet thereof.

2. The combination of an elongated working member having an orifice longitudinally-decentered with respect to said elongated member, a handle, and a tapered ferrule connecting the handle and wedge wise connecting the working member within said orifice, said handle and ferrule being adapted to afford a directional force by having a portion thereof extend upwardly from the working member substantially perpendicular thereto and continuing into a portion at an angle to the perpendicular portion and in a direction toward the longer portion of the working member and thence continue at an angle back upon itself and toward the shorter portion of the working member substantially as shown.

JOHN H. WEGNER. 

